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CeDell Davis Communique Jan 13th
CeDell Davis
Delta blues legend
"Last Man Standing."
released March 2nd
Cedell Davis, one of the very last true Delta Bluesmen, 88 years young, and releases "Last Man Standing." on Sunyata Records on March 2nd.
CeDell Davis is a blues legend whose ancient, dusty voice sounds as rich as the Mississippi Delta he grew next to. In the 1950s he played slide guitar with the great Robert Nighthawk before becoming a solo artist himself. This new studio album represents songs from his long and storied career, with an all-star backing band that includes guitarist Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) drummer Barrett Martin, bassist Stu Cole, and guitarists Greg and Zakk Binns. This album is must have for anyone who loves the dirty delta blues, and CeDell Davis is one of the greats.
CeDell Davis has faced every obstacle imaginable while growing up in Helena, Arkansas, a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River. The first obstacle was Typhoid Malaria Fever, then Polio that twisted his hands and legs in knots. Additionally, he had a mother that didn't allow him to play blues around the house. In spite of these obstacles, his life of playing music began at the age of 7. He was walking to the pea patch to pick peas for supper when he found a Harmonica in the dirt, he stills says it was one of the happiest days of his life. Later, he purchased an old guitar and started teaching himself how to play but then Polio hit him. Hands crippled by Polio, he had to learn how to play guitar again. He developed his own unique technique of using a butter knife as a slide, creating a raw, original sound that allowed him to chase his passion of singing the blues. He was later injured in a stampede from a club in St. Louis, somebody shot a gun, and he was trampled underfoot, landing him in traction for months. CeDell went on to play music around the world until 2005 when his life was permanently altered by a stroke, tragically robbing him of his ability to play guitar. What CeDell Davis hasn't lost is his passion to sing the blues and to connect with an audience. Mr. Davis returned to the stage in April of 2008 at the Juke Joint Festival, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and on to the Deep Blues Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota the same year, backed by the Hot Springs, Arkansas band, Brethren. What was lost in his ability to play guitar has been made up for by an even deeper, richer, resonant voice, from a man that has certainly paid his dues. Mr. Davis, has according to him, made the best record of his life, with the assistance of producer Jimbo Mathus , this album is must have for anyone who loves the dirty delta blues, and CeDell Davis is one of the greats.
Also included in this 2 CD package is CeDell's previous album, "When Lightnin' Struck The Pine", featuring Peter Buck of REM on guitar.
Disc 1: Last Man Standing - Track listing: Catfish; Roll & Tumble; Everyday Seem The Same; Purty Women; Teenie Weenie Bit; Chicken Hawk; Who's Lovin You Tonight; Mississippi Story; Turn On Your Light; Need You So; Yackity Yack; Wind Up Grac-A-Phone; The Horror; 74 Is A Freight Train; Further On Up The Road; Ain’t Fixin’ To Go
Disc 2: When Lightnin' Struck The Pine – Track listing: Pay To Play; Come On And Ride With Me; Woke Up This Morning; So Long, I Hate To See You Go; Give Me That Look; Love Me A Little While; Cold Chills; One Of These Days; Propaganda; Rub Me Baby; Hold Me Baby
Catalogue number CED002 678277241824
For further information including interviews and review copies please contact
Matt Reynolds
07889491504
